Sleeping in Berlin Brandenburg Airport
Overview
Sleeping in Berlin Brandenburg Airport is possible, but finding somewhere comfortable to stretch out for free is the challenge. Terminal 1 is the better bet for an overnight stay, with a few armrest-free benches, limited cushioned seating and plenty of floor space, while most ordinary airport seats have fixed armrests. If you want an actual bed without leaving the airport, four Napcabs operate 24 hours in the public area near the Terminal 1 train station.
Enough with the armrests!!” (Traveller review, September 2024)
Can You Sleep in Berlin Brandenburg Airport Overnight?
Yes. BER is open 24 hours, and travellers regularly spend the night in Terminal 1 before early morning flights.
The important catch is security. The airport does not advertise its security checkpoints as operating throughout the night, and Napcabs currently advises that checkpoints operate approximately 4:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Traveller reviews also describe being unable to remain airside overnight, so if you arrive the evening before a flight, plan on sleeping landside, before security, unless you confirm otherwise when you arrive.
Terminal 1 has consistently been the more practical overnight option. Terminal 2 is smaller, and traveller reviews describe fewer places to settle down there.
Sleepability Verdict
Sleepability: Challenging
You can sleep at BER, but the terminal does not make free sleeping particularly easy. Fixed armrests dominate the regular seating, lighting can be bright and the few better benches and cushioned spots are limited. Floor sleeping is common when those spaces are taken. The good news is that travellers generally describe the overnight temperature as reasonable, Terminal 1 has 24-hour food options, and the Napcabs provide a much more comfortable paid alternative without requiring a trip into Berlin.
There were about 30 passengers sleeping on their seats.” (Traveller review, January 2025)
Traveller Reality Check
Based on recent Sleeping in Airports traveller reviews, these are the most frequently reported advantages and drawbacks of sleeping at Berlin Brandenburg Airport.
Sleep Advantages
- Airport open 24 hours
- Napcabs available 24 hours
- Some armrest-free benches
- Generally comfortable temperature
- 24-hour landside food
- Plenty of floor space
Sleep Drawbacks
- Armrests on most seats
- Good free spots are limited
- Bright terminal lighting
- Overnight airside access limited
- Some staff and overnight noise
- Landside charging can be scarce
Best Places to Sleep
The corridor around the Room of Silence has been one of BER’s more consistently reported free sleeping areas. Travellers have described a few flat wooden benches outside the room, with the area somewhat warmer and less brightly lit than much of the terminal. There is an important update: the Room of Silence itself closes overnight, and a more recent traveller comment says security was moving people away from the area at night. Treat the benches and surrounding corridor as a place to check rather than something you can rely on being available all night.
Seating: Flat wooden benches
Noise: Staff and people passing nearby
Lighting: Dimmer than much of T1
Temperature: Generally comfortable
Power: A few nearby outlets reported
Terminal 1, Landside, near Burger King
Cushioned leather benches near Burger King have repeatedly been mentioned as one of the better free places to stretch out. Unlike most of BER’s regular seating, these benches do not have the same sleep-defeating armrests. The catch is capacity. Traveller reviews describe room for only a small number of sleepers, so don’t count on finding a bench if you arrive late.
Seating: Cushioned armrest-free benches
Temperature: Generally comfortable
Capacity: Limited
Terminal 1, Landside, upper-level floor areas
If the benches are taken, the fallback at BER is often the floor. Travellers have reported open floor space on the upper levels of Terminal 1, including areas farther from the main seating. Don’t expect carpet. Reviews describe hard floors and bright lighting, so a sleeping mat or something padded underneath you will make a significant difference.
Seating: Floor
Lighting: Bright
Temperature: Generally comfortable
For a daytime nap after security, a September 2024 traveller found a large, soft red leather bench between Gate A02 and the nearby café and described it as a good place to lie down. This is based on a single traveller review, so consider it a spot worth checking rather than a dependable sleeping location.
Seating: Large cushioned bench
Airport Sleeper Essentials
Cots
BER is not known to provide cots routinely to stranded travellers. If your flight is cancelled overnight, ask your airline or airport staff whether temporary arrangements are being made.
Food Available Overnight
You won’t necessarily need to stockpile snacks before everything closes. BER currently confirms two 24-hour options in the public area of Terminal 1:
– REWE supermarket – Train station, Level U1. Food, drinks, fresh items, bakery products and everyday supplies.
– Kamps – Terminal 1 public area.
Both are accessible without passing through security, making them useful if you’re spending the night landside.
Luggage Storage
Baggage storage is available in the Service Center at the Terminal 1 train station on Level U1, before security. It is not currently confirmed as a 24-hour service, so don’t rely on being able to drop off or collect your bags in the middle of the night.
Showers
There is much better news here than older traveller reviews suggest.
BER now has public showers open 24 hours in Terminal 1, landside, on Arrivals Level E0, left of Arrivals 2. The fee is €10 and includes a towel and shampoo. Payment is by card only. Showers are also available in the BER lounges after security. For a full list of lounge locations, access requirements and current operating hours, see our Berlin Airport Guide.
Airport Lounges with Sleep Facilities
BER’s lounges offer quiet or relaxation areas, but there are no dedicated sleeping cabins inside the lounges. The airport specifically confirms that its BER lounges have comfortable seating and rest areas rather than proper sleep facilities. For a daytime layover, they may still be useful if you want somewhere quieter to sit, eat and shower. They are not an overnight sleeping solution, as the lounges close in the evening. See the Berlin Brandenburg Airport Guide for the complete lounge list and access information.
Airport Hotels, Sleep Pods & Cabins
Napcabs (Inside the Airport)
Location: Terminal 1, Landside, Train Station, Level U1
Hours: 24 hours
Cabins: 4
Showers: No
If the thought of fighting for one of BER’s few decent benches doesn’t appeal, the Napcabs are the airport’s most practical paid sleeping option. Each private cabin has a single bed, desk, Wi-Fi and controls for lighting, music and an alarm. A January 2025 traveller who booked one from 1:00 AM to 4:00 AM described getting a good, quiet sleep. There are only four cabins, so booking ahead is worth considering. Current rates are €17 per hour from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM and €12 per hour from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM. The minimum charge is €34 Monday to Saturday and €44 on Sundays and public holidays. Charges are calculated to the minute.
Steigenberger Airport Hotel Berlin
Outside Terminal 1, approximately 50 m from the terminal.
IntercityHotel Berlin Airport BER
At the airport, approximately 200 m from Terminal 1.
If you don’t mind a short shuttle ride, several nearby hotels offer free airport shuttle service. See the full list in our Berlin Airport Guide.
Safety & Security
Most recent traveller reviews describe feeling safe while sleeping at BER, but experiences have not been universally positive. A January 2024 traveller sleeping landside described being repeatedly bothered by a man approaching women in the terminal.
If you’re sleeping in a public part of Terminal 1, keep your passport, phone and other valuables secured and your luggage immediately beside or attached to you. Staying reasonably close to other overnight travellers may also be preferable to choosing an isolated corner.
Frequent Asked Questions
A Quick Note
Airport conditions change regularly. This guide is based on airport information and traveller reviews, but seating, terminal access, operating hours, security procedures and sleeping conditions can change. Use this guide as a starting point and be prepared for conditions to differ when you arrive.
Help Keep This Guide Current
Slept at BER recently? Tell us whether the benches near the Room of Silence and Burger King are still available, whether you were allowed to remain airside overnight, or if you’ve found a better place to sleep. Share your experience, tips and photos to help the next tired traveller.